Speaker John A. Boehner said Wednesday he was willing to give President Barack Obama an extension of unemployment benefits, but not for free.

"When the White House finally called me last Friday about extending unemployment benefits, I said that we would clearly consider it as long as long as it's paid for and as long as there are other efforts that will help get our economy moving once again," the Ohio Republican said Wednesday morning at a press conference.

"I've not seen a plan from the White House that meets those standards," Boehner said.

The lack of an unemployment extension is one of the chief complaints from Democrats about the emerging budget deal.